Difference between central nervous system and peripheral nervous system in terms of their function

• Categorized under Health | Difference Between CNS and PNS

CNS is the Central Nervous System that functions in order to coordinate each and every activity taking place in all the parts of the body of every bilaterian organism (animals evolved to a better organic stage than sponges and jellyfish). The central nervous system, in vertebrates is placed inside the meninges and consists of the brain and the spinal cord. On the other hand the PNS or the Peripheral Nervous System exists and extends outside the Central Nervous System.

The prime function served by the Central Nervous System is that along with the PNS it contributes a huge control on the organism’s behavior. On the other hand the main function of the Peripheral Nervous System is to connect the Central Nervous System with the various organs in the body and the limbs.

The Central Nervous System is placed safely within the dorsal cavity, the brain placed inside the cranial cavity and the spinal cord in the spinal cavity. The skull protects the brain and the vertebra protects the entire spinal cord. But like the CNS the Peripheral Nervous System is not protected by any bone or blood-brain barrier. It remains open to all sorts of mechanical injuries and toxins as well. It consists of the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system.

The function of the Peripheral Nervous System is to integrate important information and details that are gathered from the external environment. On the other hand, it is the function of the Central Nervous System to process all these gathered information. With processing of information the function of the CNS ends but the function of the PNS still continues. It is also responsible for the movement of all the information from the sensory cells, gland cells and muscle cells to the CNS and back from there.

The Central Nervous System communicates all sorts of involuntary information while the Peripheral Nervous System communicates all the voluntary information. Moreover, the PNS plays a role in regulation of blood pressure, thirst and body temperature whereas the Central Nervous System plays no role in this context.

Summary:
1. CNS refers to the Central Nervous System whereas PNS refers to the Peripheral Nervous System.
2. The Central Nervous System comprises of the brain and the spinal cord whereas the Peripheral Nervous System comprises of the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system.
3. The CNS handles involuntary information while the PNS handles voluntary information.

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APA 7
, . (2009, November 23). Difference Between CNS and PNS. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-cns-and-pns/.
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, . "Difference Between CNS and PNS." Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, 23 November, 2009, http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-cns-and-pns/.

Written by : Abishek. and updated on 2009, November 23

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Learning Outcomes

• Differentiate between the central and peripheral nervous systems

The nervous system has three main functions: sensory input, integration of data and motor output. Sensory input is when the body gathers information or data, by way of neurons, glia and synapses. The nervous system is composed of excitable nerve cells (neurons) and synapses that form between the neurons and connect them to centers throughout the body or to other neurons. These neurons operate on excitation or inhibition, and although nerve cells can vary in size and location, their communication with one another determines their function. These nerves conduct impulses from sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord. The data is then processed by way of integration of data, which occurs only in the brain. After the brain has processed the information, impulses are then conducted from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands, which is called motor output. Glia cells are found within tissues and are not excitable but help with myelination, ionic regulation and extracellular fluid.

Figure 1. The central and peripheral nervous systems

The nervous system is comprised of two major parts, or subdivisions, the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord. The brain is the body’s “control center.” The CNS has various centers located within it that carry out the sensory, motor and integration of data. These centers can be subdivided to Lower Centers (including the spinal cord and brain stem) and Higher centers communicating with the brain via effectors.

The PNS is a vast network of spinal and cranial nerves that are linked to the brain and the spinal cord. It contains sensory receptors which help in processing changes in the internal and external environment. This information is sent to the CNS via afferent sensory nerves. The PNS is then subdivided into the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system. The autonomic has involuntary control of internal organs, blood vessels, smooth and cardiac muscles. The somatic has voluntary control of skin, bones, joints, and skeletal muscle. The two systems function together, by way of nerves from the PNS entering and becoming part of the CNS, and vice versa.

We’ll further discuss the components and roles of these systems later in this module.

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